Inspiring Pro Bono:The Thomas m. Cooley law sChool experienCe

THE THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL

IntroductIon 6

AgengIes/Projects served by cooley lAw school In 2009• AdventHouseMinistries 10• ChildWelfareTrainingInstitute 10• CommunityLegalResourcesFair 11• CooleyClinics 11• CriminalDefenseAttorneysofMichigan 16• CristoReyCommunityCenter 16• DégagéMinstries 16• TheEasternDistrictHabeasCorpusProject 17• EasternDistrictofMichiganFederalBarAssociation

ForeclosureAssistanceProgram 17• ElectionProtection 18• FederalBarAssociationLawDay 18• FederalBarAssociationProSeHandbook 18• FederalDefenderOffice 18• FergusonApartments 19• GrandRapidsTeenCourt 19• HousingHelp 20• HurricaneVictims 21• IndigentDefenseCaseDevelopmentSessions 24• KentCountyLegalAssistanceCenter 25• LandConservancies 25• LansingTeenCourt 26• LegalAidandDefenderAssociationExpungementClinic 27• MacombCountyProsecutors 30• MelTrotterMinistries 30• NonprofitIncorporationProject 30• OpenDoorMinistry 31• ProjectHomelessConnectandStandDown 32• SeniorProBonoOutreach 32• ServicetoSoldiersLegalAssistanceReferralProgram 34• StateAppellateDefenderOffice/DetroitCrimeLab 42• TaxAssistanceforNonprofits 43• VolunteerIncomeTaxAssistance 43• VolunteersofAmericaHomelessShelter 43• WashtenawCountyPublicDefender’sOffice 44

conclusIon 45

Toknowevenonelifehasbreathedeasierbecauseyouhavelived.Thatistohavesucceeded.”

Ralph Waldo EmERson

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Emersonmayhavecaptured

themotivationbehindthefacultyandstudentsattheThomasM.CooleyLawSchoolwhologgedover300,000hoursoffreelegalworkinjustoneyearforthosewhocouldnototherwiseaffordormaynototherwisefundthathelp—peoplewhocannow,hopefully,breathealittleeasier.Throughclinicalwork,externships,andservice,ourstudentsandfacultyoffered$45millionworthoffreelegalassistanceinjustoneyear.

Howisitthatalawschoolcanaccomplishsuchathing?Agreatpartofthereasonliesinthespiritourstudentsbringtotheirstudyoflaw.TheMillennialGenerationhasarrivedonourcampuses,ladenwithexpectationsforservingthepublic,astheyhavedonethroughouttheirlives.Buttheansweralsoseemstocomefromthecultureattheschool.Asaninstitution,Cooleypromotesandsupportsaculturethatnurturessuchdedication.Ourfacultyofformerlegalpractitionersareencouragedtocontinuepracticinglawinserviceofothersandinsupportofourstudents—studentswhoareashungrytolearnandhelpothersasthefacultyistopracticelaw.

Cooleyhasalwayshireditsfacultyfromtheranksofpracticingattorneys.Theselawyersdon’tsimplywalkawayfromthepracticeoflawwhentheybecomefull-timefacultymembers.Theystillyearnforthesatisfactionthatcomesfromservingadeservingclient.Itkeepsthemsharpintheclassroom.Itmakestheirteachingreal.Itcausestheirteachingtotakeapracticalskillsbentsostudentscanlearnnotjustthelaw,buthowtopracticelaw.

Thefacultyhavesteeredtheiryearningtopracticelawtowardpro bonoclients.Thebenefitsofthatapproacharelegion:First,accesstothelegalsystemisprovidedtothemostneedyandworthy,includingcharitiesandcharitablecorporations,militaryservicemembers,thehomeless,theunemployedandunderem-ployed,thosefacingforeclosure,children,wronglyincarceratedprisoners,thedisabled,hurricanevictims,landconservancies,veterans,juveniledefendants,andseniors.Second,whenstu-dentscanobserveandparticipateinthepracticeoflawforsuchclients,theyarelearningtwolessonsatonce—howtopracticelawandhowtohelpthedeservingaccessourjusticesystem.Third,studentsseetheirteachershelpingothersandlearnfromthemthelawyer’sobligationandcommitmenttogivingbacktothecommunity.Finally,thereseemstobenogreatersatisfactionforalawstudent(oralawyer,forthatmatter)thanthatwhichcomesfromhelpingadeservingorindigentclient.Forlawstu-dents,it’sfuntopracticelaw.Buttheyareawedbythethankstheyreceivefromandthelife-changingimpactonthegratefulclient,whohasbreathedalittleeasierbecauseoftheirhelp.

Whenwespeakofthefreelegalassistancethatourstudentspro-videthroughtheirclinics,externships,andservice,wereachanalmostincomprehensiblenumberofover300,000hoursin2009.Thatequates(at40hoursaweek)to144yearsofvolunteerlabor,

Cooley Faculty Help

“Kids Food” Breakfast

Day of Caring - United Way

8 9

or,whenlookedatanotherway,$45millionworthoffreelegalassistanceifitwerebilledatanaverageof$150perhour,workedinjustoneyear.Moreimportant,whenwecalculatethenumberofhoursoffreelegalassistanceourstudentsofferintheareaofpublicinterest—usingtheEqualJusticeWorksdefinitiontoincludeallclinicplacements,judicialplacements,stateandfederalagencyplacements,andpositionstakeninpros-ecutors,publicdefenders,LegalAid,andotherpublicinterestlawoffices—ourstudentsloggedin2009justover200,000hours,orover$30millionworthoffreelegalpublicinterestassistance.

Cooleyfacultyandstudentsregularlycontributethousandsofhoursperyeartosucheffortsthroughpro bonoprojectsandthroughexternshipsandclinics.Inthisdocument,though,wewantedtofocusonthepro bonoeffortsourstudentshaveundertakenthatdonot

involvetheawardingofacademiccredit:assistanceofferedbyourfacultyandstudentsfornopersonalgain,notevenclinicorexternshipcredit.In2009,ourfacultyandstudentsloggedover16,000suchprobonohoursassistingthosewhowouldotherwisenotbeabletopayfororfundtheseservices.Theydidthiscompletelyontheirowntime,fornopersonalrewardexceptthesatisfactionthatcomesfromhelpingthoseinneed.These16,000hoursofpro bono workdonefornoacademiccreditorpersonalgainrepresent$2.4million(at$150/hour)worthoffreelegalassistanceofferedinjustoneyear.

CooleyLawSchoolhasnopro bono requirementsforitsfacultyorstudents.Cooleyhasnoformalizedpro bonoprogram.Butbyallowingfacultytimetopursuepro bonointerestsandencouragingthemtodoso,andbycoveringthecostofmalpracticeinsurancecoverageforthefacultywhopracticepro bonolaw,Cooleyhasfosteredanoverwhelmingcommitmenttopro bono service.Herearethenot-for-creditprojectsweworkedonin2009.

Habitat for Humanity

Teen Court Awards Cooley’s President Don LeDuc

Dégagé Ministries

10 11

isheldthreetofourtimesayearandincludesabout170traineespersession.CooleystudentshelpProfessorsFloresandLanghampreparethetraineesfortheircourtroomtestimonybyperformingdirectandcross-examinationsofthechildwelfareinvestigators.Theexaminationsincludeissuesofchildwelfaresupervision,childwelfareinvestigation,andfamilypreservation.

Since2005,1,900to2,000peoplehavebeentrained,includingthreesexualassaultnurseexaminersthatProfessorFlorestrainedforGreatLakesSexualAssaultNurseExaminers,inDetroit,Lansing,andGrandRapids.In2009,ProfessorsFloresandLanghamandtheirstudentsloggedapproximately570pro bonohours.

Community Legal Resources FairStudentsworkwithCooleyfacultymemberstoorganizeanannuallegalresourcesfairforlow-incomecitizensintheOaklandCountyarea.Wedidnotrecordhoursworkedforthisproject.

Cooley ClinicsCooley’smanylegalclinicsallowstudentstodoactuallegalworkforindigentsandreceiveschoolcredit.However,manyCooleystudentsandclinicfacultyworkhoursinexcessofwhatisrequiredofthem.Weconsidertheseextrahours—beyondwhatisneededtoearnschoolcredit—asnot-for-creditpro bonoworkbybothourstudentsandfaculty.Suchpro bonoassistanceoccursatallofCooley’sclinics,including:

Family Law Assistance ProgramThispartnershipbetweentheOaklandCountyBarAssociation,LakeshoreLegalAid,andCooleyLawSchoolcoordinatesprivatepro bonovolunteerlawyers,LakeshoreandCooleystaffattorneys,andCooleystudentstoprovidequalitylegalservicestoindigentdomesticviolenceandfamilylawclientsinOaklandCounty.

Advent House Ministries

OvertheyearsCooleyLawSchoolhasestablishedaveryactiverelationshipwithLansing’sAdventHouse,aweekenddayshelterforthehomelessthatalsoprovidesFoodStampassistance,employmentcounselingandassistance,transitionalhousing,aliteracyprogram,andSocialSecuritydisabilityandSupplementalSecurityIncomeapplicationassistance.Studentssupervisedbylawyers,includingCooleyProfessorNancyWonch,providegenerallegaladviceandreferrals,andhelpwithletterwritingandformspreparationfortheindigentinLansing.Since2003,ProfessorWonchhasarrangedforfiveto10Cooleystudentstoprovidepro bonoservicesinvariousvenues

throughoutLansing.ForseveralyearsAdventHousehosteda“HealthyThanksgiving”eventtoprovidepatronswithavarietyofhealthandotherservicesincludinglegaladvice,aswellasanutritionallypreparedThanksgivingdinner.FormanyyearsProfessorWonchsupervisedCooleystudentsprovidinglegaladviceandservingdinneratthisevent.In2009,sixhoursoflegalcounselingwasprovidedpro bono.

Child Welfare Training InstituteForthepastfiveyears,ProfessorAnthonyFloreshasbeeninvolvedwiththeChildWelfareTrainingInstitute,anagencyoftheMichiganDepartmentofHumanServices.ProfessorFlores,ProfessorLewLangham,andselectedCooleystudents,havetrainedProtectiveServicesandFosterCareworkersasapartoftheircurriculum.Theeight-weektrainingsession

nancy Wonch

m. anthony Flores

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The Washtenaw County Public Defender ClinicWithclassesinLansingandthesiteworkinAnnArbor,studentlawyersperformallpublicdefenderfunctions.In2009,studentsworkedbeyondthehoursrequiredforcreditandcompleted826pro bonohours(nocredit).

Access to Justice ClinicTheGrandRapidsareaLegalAssistanceCenterrefersunrep-resentedpersonswhohavemorecomplexmattersrequiringtheservicesofalawyertotheAccesstoJusticeClinic,whereaCooleyfacultydirector,staffattorney,andlawstudentsensurethattheclientsreceivecompetentrepresentationinfamilylaw,landlord-tenant,andotherconsumerlawmattersinageneralcivilpractice.In2009,25studentsperformed2,821hoursofwork,andwererequiredtobill2,250hoursforcredit,leaving571hoursprovidedpro bono,(nocredit).

Public Sector Law Clinic Inaparallelaccess-to-justiceprogram,KentCountyreferslegalmattersinvolvingsystemicgovernmentalissuestothePublicSectorLawClinic,aone-of-a-kindprograminwhichaCooleyfacultymemberdirector,staffattorney,andlawstudentsexplorewaystoimproveaccesstocourtsandothergovernmentservices.ThisclinicatCooley’sGrandRapidscampushelpsensurethatmoreindividualshavegreateropportunitytoimprovetheirlivesthroughtheorderlyadministrationoflawandgovernment.

In2009,volunteerattorneysworked392pro bonohoursandstudentsworked4,019hours.Twelvestudentswererequiredtobill3,856hourstoearncredit,soatotalof163hourswerepro bono,(nocredit).Thus,atotalof555hourswereprovidedpro bonobystudentsandfaculty.

Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw ClinicThisgeneralcivilpracticeforclientsage60andoverallowsstudentstohandletheirowncasefiles.Inaddition,SixtyPlusinternteamsareassignedanoutreachprojecteachtermwheretheygointothecom-munityandspeaktogroupsabouttheclinic’sservicesandaboutspe-cificareasoflawrelevanttoseniors.SixtyPlusinternsarerequiredtobill90hourspertermfortheirclientcasework,butmostinternsbillwellovertherequired90hours.In2009,36studentsbilled3,240hoursforcredit,and4,369hourswereprovidedpro bono(nocredit).

Estate Planning ClinicEstatePlanningClinicinternsinterviewclientsanddraftandexecuteallclientestateplanningdocuments.Theyarerequiredtobill90hourspertermfortheirclientcasework,butmostinternsbillwellovertherequired90hours.In2009,36Lansingstudentsbilled3,487.3hoursoflegalserviceforcreditbutalsoprovided2,473pro bono(nocredit).TheEstatePlanningClinicinAuburnHillsfocusesonestateplanningandprobatelaw.In2009,27studentsworked2,549hours,2,430ofwhichwasforcredit,leaving119hoursworkedpro bono,(nocredit).

Innocence Project ClinicInternsreviewfilesoftheincarceratedtodeterminewhetherDNAevidencemayprovethemfactuallyinnocent,andoccasionallyvisitinmatesattheprisonswiththeirsupervisingattorneys.InnocenceProjectinternsarerequiredtobill90hourspertermfortheirclientcasework,butmostinternsbillovertherequired90hours.In2009,nineinternsbilled810hoursforcreditbutbilledatotalof1,671hours,leaving861hoursoflegalserviceprovidedpro bono(nocredit).

“

odayatDégagéMinistriesitwasborderingonawesome.Wehadtworeallyengagedstudents

and‘clients’waitingtoseeus.EverycasewassomethingIencounteronadailybasis(except)itwaspoorpeoplewhojustneededanear,abitofadvice,and,aboveall,afewmomentsofgenuinerespect.TodayrockedandI

gotfarmoreoutofitthanIgave...”

mikE dunn, CoolEy adjunCt pRoFEssoR

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Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Case Preparation

Cooleystudentsworkwithfacultytohelpcriminaldefenseattorneyspreparecasesfortrial.Studentsworkonallaspectsofthecase,fromlegalresearchtotrialpreparation.Hourswerenotrecorded.

Cristo ReyCommunity Center

ProfessorChrisTrudeauhaslongbeenprovidinglegalassistancetoLansingresidentsseekinghelpthroughtheCristoReyCommunityCenter.In2009,approximately90hoursofstudentopportunitieswereoffered,whichincludesactualhoursofclientcontact,andsevenstudentsassistedProfessorTrudeau,whoperformedalittleover300hoursofpro bonowork.Includingstudenthoursworked,thatnumberjumpstoaround350pro bonohoursworked.Sincestartingthisprogramin2006,ProfessorTrudeau’sstudentsandhehaveofferedcombinedassistanceofover1,300hoursofpro bono service.

D égagé MinstriesThissoupkitchenservingahomelesspopulationcontinuestoprovidecounselingandinterviewingopportunitiesforstudents.In2009,144hoursofopportunityexistedfor

studentstobeinvolved,and63studentsparticipatedandfilled126ofthosehours.ThelegalassistanceandcounselingprogramisofferedunderthesupervisionoffacultytopatronsofDégagéthefirst,third,andfourthweekofeachmonth.Theeffortsoffacultyandstudentsin2009totaled198pro bonohoursworked.

The Eastern District Habeas Corpus Project

Inordertoaddressthebacklogof habeas corpuspetitionsthathavebeenfiledintheU.S.DistrictCourt,EasternDistrictofMichigan,theCourthasenteredintoauniquepartnershipwithCooleyLawSchool.Studentsworkwithfederalcourtmagistratesandstaffattorneystopreparereportsandrecommendationsonpetitionsforwrits of habeas corpusfiledbystateprisonersinfederalcourt.Selectedlawstudentsreviewhabeas corpuspetitionsanddraftproposedopinionsandordersfortheassignedmagistratejudge.ThestudentsaresupervisedbytheExecutiveMagistrateJudgeandProfessorsTammyAsherandAlanGershel.In2009,twostudentsperformed336hoursofpro bonolegalservice.

Eastern District of Michigan FederalBar Association Foreclosure Assistance Program

SixCooleystudentsandoneCooleygraduateattendedandhelpedadministeratwo-daytrainingprogrampresentedbytheMichiganPovertyLawPrograminFebruary2009totrainpro bonovolunteerlawyerstorepresentin pro per litigantsinforeclosurecasesinstateandfederalcourt.Approximately20oftheselawyers,includingCooleyalumni,havevolunteeredtohandlecasesinfederalcourtthroughtheEasternDistrictofMichiganFederalBarAssociationProBonoCommittee,andCooleystudentswillbepairedwithvolunteerlawyerswhorequestastudentpro bonolawclerk.

Chris trudeau

tammy asher

alan Gershel

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Asco-chairoftheEasternDistrictofMichiganFBAProBonoCommittee,AssociateDeanJohnNussbaumerworkedwiththeDistrictJudgesProBonoCommitteetorecruitandtrainapproximately20lawyerstohandle in pro perlawsuitsfiledinfederalcourtseekingtoblockforeclosureproceedingsagainstDetroithomeowners.

Election ProtectionStudentsworkwithCooleyfacultymemberstoensurecompliancewithstateandfederalelectionlawsincity,county,andnationalelections.Hoursworkedonthisprojectwerenotlogged.

Federal Bar Association Law DayAsco-chairoftheEasternDistrictofMichiganFBAProBonoCommittee,AssociateDeanJohnNussbaumerhelpedorganizeagroupofapproximately20lawyerswhoprovidedfreehalf-hourconsultationstoapproximately60in pro perlitigantsinfederalcourtonLawDay.CooleystudentswhohelpedoutreceivedcertificatesofrecognitionfromtheDistrictJudgesProBonoCommitteefortheirservice.Facultyandstudentsputinapproximately52hoursofpro bonotime.

Federal Bar AssociationPro Se Handbook

Studentsworkedwithpro bonovolunteerlawyersandCooleyfacultytoresearchlegalissuesforinclusioninapro sehandbookforin pro perlitigantsinfederalcourt.Hourswerenotrecorded.

Federal Defender OfficeCooleystudentsassistthisofficebypreparingSixthCircuitappellatebriefs,handlingclientfilesafterindictment,calculatingthesentencingguidelines,workingonpre-trialmotions,handling

federalmisdemeanor/ticketcasesbeforeaUnitedStatesmagistratejudge,andattendingattorney/clientmeetingsandcourthearings.In2009,twostudentsworked318pro bonohours.

F erguson ApartmentsAnonprofitDwellingPlacesiteservingformerlyhomelessanddisabledindividuals,andtheWestMichiganHispanicChamberofCommerce,servingtheself-employed,becametheGrandRapidscampus’sthirdandfourthpro bonoservicelocationsin2009.LegalservicesareofferedtothemembersandresidentstwodayseachmonthbyarotatingscheduleofGrandRapidsfacultyattheChamber,andbyProfessorSherryBatzeratFerguson.Twostudentsareencouragedtoaccompanyandassistthefacultymemberseachtimetheygo,andthisyearallavailableslotswerefilled.Studentsandfaculty,combined,did121hoursofpro bonoworkforFergusonApartmentsand106hoursfortheChamber.

Grand Rapids Teen CourtTeenCourtisadiversionprogramforfirst-timeyouthfulmisdemeanoroffendersbetweentheagesof11and16.ThroughanagreementwiththeKentCountyProsecutor’sOffice,familiesofyouthfuloffenderscanopttoavoidthetraditionalcriminaljusticesystembyagreeingtoparticipateinTeenCourt.Theparticipantsmustagreetoremaininschool,

john nussbaumer

sherr y Batzer

tracey Brame

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attendstreetlawworkshops,completecommunityservice,apologizetoanyvictims,andattendahearingatwhichajuryoftheirpeers(localhighschoolstudents)willdeliveradispositionthatoftenincludesadditionalcommunityservice,restitution,andotherformsofrestorativejustice.Theprojecthasreceivedsupportfromthelocalbench,prosecutor’soffice,andprobationdepartmentinKentCounty,andlocalleadershavewelcomedtheefforttoreducejuvenilerecidivism.Cooleyfacultyserveasvolunteerjudgesalongwithlocalattorneysandjudges.Cooleystudentsserveasrespondents’andvictims’advocates,hearingobservers,andjurymonitorsduringjurydeliberations.TheyalsohelptherespondentscompletetheirrequiredordersfortheTeenCourtdiversionfrom

prosecution.ManyofthemmayalsoserveasacademicmentorsforthestudentsandestablishrelationshipswiththeteenagersthatcontinuebeyondTeenCourt.EastKentwoodHighSchooloffersthepeerjurorsforGrandRapidsTeenCourt.

Housing HelpThroughoutthemetropolitanDetroitarea,CooleyProfessorFloriseNeville-Ewellhelpstwolargecategoriesofparticipantsintherealestateprocess—homeowners,includingnewhomeowners,emptynesters,andforeclosurevictims,andnonprofitdeveloperswhoprimarilybuildaffordablehousingwithintheirrespectivecommunities.Throughherpro bonoprogram,ProfessorNeville-Ewell

providespeopleororganizationswithbasicinformationandfundamentaltoolsandlegalprotocolsregardingrealestateandtherealestateprocesssohomeownerscanavoidscamsandforeclosure,andnonprofitdeveloperscanbemadeawareofmandatorystepstosuccessfullycompletetheirhousingdevelopments.Sheemploysthe“tencommandmentsofrealestate”toisolatethemostimportantitemsforeachgroup,butemphasizesthateachgroupneedsateamofprofessionalstoultimatelyhelpthemaccomplishtheirrealestategoals.ProfessorNeville-Ewellhasworkeddirectlywithindividualsfrommultiplechurches(e.g.,CorinthianBaptistChurchinDetroit),withindividualsthroughsymposiasponsoredbybanks(FifthThird),theDetroitBranchoftheNAACP,TheHeatandWarmthproject(THAW),OaklandCountytownhallmeetings(wheresheassistswithhousingandforeclosureissues),Michigan’sAttorneyGeneral,andnonprofitsthroughtheirleaders.

Hurricane VictimsSince2007,over200CooleystudentshavetraveledtoNewOrleansduringtheirtermbreaktopartnerwithlegalagenciesinvolvedwithdisasterrelieflegalwork,shepherdedbyAssistantDeanChrisChurch.StudentshaveworkedonprobateissuesinvolvinghomesinthelowerNinthWard,helpedclientscleartitlestodevastatedhomes,assistedwithpublicdefendercasesincriminalcourts,workedtoclearthebacklogofdivorcecases,helpedpeopleobtainandmaintainpublicbenefits,helpedpeoplestayintheirhomes,andundertakenotherrelatedwork.Studentshavelearnedfirsthandabouttheroleofalawyerinacommunityrecoveringfromacatastrophe.Onestudentsaid,“TheDisasterReliefLegalAssociationhastakenmefrombeingthetypicalself-servinglawstudentalwayslookingforthenextgreatrésumébuilder,toactuallycaringandnotjust‘doingwhatlooksgood.’”In2009,16studentsandtwoprofessorsworked720hours,pro bono.

Florise neville-Ewell

Christine Church

“

heDisasterReliefLegal Associationhastakenmefrombeingthetypicalself-servinglawstudentalwayslooking

forthenextgreatrésumébuilder,toactuallycaringandnotjust‘doingwhatlooksgood.’”

CoolEy studEnt

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I ndigent Defense CaseDevelopment Sessions

CooleyLawSchoolProfessorMarjorieRussellrunscasedevelopmentsessionsforlawyersrepresentingindigentcriminaldefendantsatCooley’sLansing,GrandRapids,AnnArbor,andAuburnHillscampuses,andCooleystudentsparticipateintheworkinggroups.ThecasedevelopmentsessionsemploytheactionmethodsforcasepreparationandtrialpresentationthatProfessorRussellhasparticipatedindevelopingoverthelast15yearsaspartofthefacultyoftheTrialLawyersCollegeinWyoming.Thispro bonoserviceinaidtotheindigentdefensecommunityisexpectedtocontinueaslongasthereisademandforitamongMichiganlawyers.Theparticipantsactasasortoffocusgroupwhichhelpsthelawyeridentifyandunderstandthestoryofthecase,thepeopleinvolved,andwhatwillbeimportanttojurorstryingtounderstandwhathappenedandwhy.Sometimesclientsarepresent,inwhichcasesomeofthetimeisspentexploringtheirstoryinaction,andhelpingthemaccessinformationimportanttotheirdefense.Frequentlystudentswhohaveattendedthesessionscontinuetoworkwiththelawyer,followthecase,attendcourt,andformmentoringrelationships.Twenty-fourindigentdefensecasedevelopmentsessionswereconductedatCooley’scampusesin2009,15atAuburnHills,sixinLansing,twoinGrandRapids,andoneinAnnArbor.Eachsessionisthreehourslong.Thatcreatedupto72hoursofpro bonoopportunityforeachstudentwhochosetoparticipate.Upto30studentscouldparticipateinanygivensession,resultinginatotalofover2,000hoursofopportunityforpro bonoworkduring2009.Onehundredeightystudentswereinvolved,foratotalof540hoursofstudentpro bonowork.Twelvelawyersattendedasparticipants,for36hoursofpro bonowork.Fiveprofessors,includingProfessorRussell,attendedasparticipants,for12hoursofpro bonowork.ProfessorRussellconductedall24sessions,for72hoursofpro bonowork.Atotalof660hoursofpro bonoworkwereperformedinthe

IndigentDefenseCaseDevelopmentsessionsduring2009,and24lawyersandtheirclientswereserved.

Kent County Legal Assistance Center

Inthepastfiveyears,Cooley’spartnershipwiththeGrandRapidsBarAssociationandKentCountytooperatetheLegalAssistanceCenterhashelpedover50,000unrepresentedpersonsobtainthelegalformsandinformationtonavigatethecourts.Over1,000patronsvisittheKentCountyCourthouse-basedCentereverymonth,wheretheyareservedbyaCooleystaffattorneyandstudents,othervolunteers,andafull-timeparalegalstaff.Spanish-speakingstaffisavailable.Mostofthecenter’sassistanceisinfamilylawmatters,butthecenteralsoassistswithlandlord-tenantmatters,criminalconvictionexpungements,consumerdisputes,andahostofotherlegalmatterscommonlyexperiencedbylow-incomeresidentswhocannotaffordanattorney.

Land ConservanciesProfessorGeraldFisherhasbeenprovidingpro bonoservicesforlandconservanciesandrelatedgroupsinsoutheastMichiganforabout20years.Hehasprovidedcounselonnegotiating,drafting,andenforcingconservationeasements,andonpresentingandapprovingmillagestopurchaselandforconservation;andhehasservedonSenatead hoccommittees,assisted

marjorie Russell

Gerald Fisher

Frank aiello

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indraftingtheWetlandsActandmodelordinanceprovisions,andpresentedseminarsonlocalwetlandregulationandconservationeasements.ProfessorFrankAiellooverseeseffortstorevisethemodelformofConservationEasementusedbylandconservanciesinMichigan,andhasprovidedhundredsofpro bonohoursinlandacquisitiontransactions,includingsomecurrentlyindevelopment.Eachsemester,oneortwoCooleystudentsassistProfessorAiellowitheachtransaction.Examplesoftransactionsincludehelpinglandconservanciesacquirelandandconservationeasementsagainstdonatedgreenspaceandothernaturalandundevelopedareas.ProfessorAielloprovidedmorethan30hoursoffreelegalservicetotheconservancyinconnectionwiththetransaction.Facultyloggedapproximately90pro bonohoursofferingthistypeofassistancein2009.

Lansing Teen CourtOnewaytoexposelawstudentstoreal-lifelawistodeveloparelationshipwiththelocalprosecutor’sofficethatallowsthelawschooltohosttheadjudicationofcriminalcasesinvolvingteenagers.TheInghamCountyProsecutor’sOfficehassuchanagreementwithCooleyLawSchool.ThatofficescreensandreferstotheLansingTeenCourt,juvenileoffendercasesinvolving

youthsages11-16.Localteenagersreceiveorientationandtrainingandthenactasjurors,whilelocaljudgesandCooleyfacultypresideasjudgesintheproceedings.Theprogramprovidesteenswithadiversionaryprogramforrelativelyminorlegaloffenses,andallowsotherteenstonotjustsee,butalsodecide,sentencing.TheproceedingstakeplaceinCooley’shigh-tech,state-of-the-artcourtrooms.Cooleystudentsserveasrespondents’andvictims’advocates,hearingobservers,andjurymonitorsduringjurydeliberations.TheyalsohelprespondentscompletetheirrequiredordersfortheTeenCourtdiversionfromprosecution.Volunteeringasanadvocatemeansholdingtherespondentaccountableandguidingthefirst-timejuvenileoffendersthroughthestepsinthejuvenilediversionprocess,whichtakesapproximately90days.ManyofthemalsoserveasacademicmentorsforthestudentsandestablishrelationshipswiththeteenagersthatcontinuebeyondTeenCourt.In2009,41studentsvolunteered2-3hoursperweekandundertooklegalworkforapproximately75percentofthattime,totalingapproximately76hoursofpro bonowork.

Legal Aid and Defender Association (LADA) Expungement Clinic

ProfessorKevinScottandthreeCooleystudentsparticipatedinthisclinictohelpeligiblesoutheastMichiganresidentsexpungefromtheircriminalrecordsoffensesthatcarrylessthanalifeimprisonmentsentence.Togethertheywereabletohelp39peopletakeanimportantsteponaroadtoabetterlife.LADAestimatesthatthereareover3,700residentswhoqualifyfortheexpungementprogram.In2009,studentsandfacultyoffered20hoursofpro bonoassistance.StudentsalsoworkwiththeLegalAidandDefenderOfficetoinvestigatehousingdiscriminationcomplaints,buthoursonthisinitiativewerenotrecorded.

olunteeringatMelTrotterwasagreatexperience.Itwasexcitingtobe

abletohelpabit.Thechancetomeetpeople,understandtheirissues,andworktohelpthem

throughitisexactlythekindofthingIhopetobeabletodosomedayinmylegalcareer.

Thanksagainfortheopportunity.”

ChRistophER aCklin, CoolEy studEnt

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Macomb County Prosecutors Case Assistance

StudentsworkwithCooleyadjunctfacultymemberstoassistMacombCountyassistantprosecutorswith“coldcase”prosecutions.Hourswerenotrecordedforthiswork.

Mel Trotter MinistriesWestMichigan’slargesthomelessmission,MelTrotterMinistriesinGrandRapidsoffersfreelegalserviceseveryweek,thanksinparttoCooleyfaculty,staff,andstudents.Cooley’sCenterforEthics,Service,andProfessionalismandtheCooleyVolunteerCorpsadministertheservice,coordinatingtheschedulesfortheseveralCooleystudentswhovolunteertosupporttheworkoftheChristianLawyersAssociationandCooleyfacultymemberswhodonatetheirtimetoofferfreelegalservice.TheChristianmission,locatednextdoortoCooley’scampus,alsohousesaresidentialsubstanceabuseprogram,women-and-childrenprogram,soupkitchen,occupationaltrainingprograms,andotherservices.Twostudentsareinvitedtoaccompanytheattorneysduringtwotimeslotseachweek.Thisyear,studentsandfacultyprovided110hoursofpro bonoservice.

Nonprofit Incorporation ProjectStudentsofferstart-uplegalservicestocharitablenonprofitcorporationsatCooley’sGrandRapidscampusthroughtheNonprofitIncorporationProject.Theprojecthasservedwellover30organizationsthatofferavarietyofcharitableworkssuchastakingdisabledchildrenhuntingandfishing,showinginner-citychildrenthepathtobecomepilots,rehabilitatingpropertiesindecayingurbanlocationstoanchorredevelopment,providingtransitionalservicestoSomalirefugees,andprovidingeducationtothechildrenofNiger.Fortheorganizationsinterestedinincorporatingandobtaining501(c)3status,Cooleystudentslead

themeetings,completethepaperwork,andhandlecorrespondencewiththeclients.UnderthedirectionofAssociateDeanNelsonMiller,14clientshavebeenassisted,andmorethan25studentshaveparticipatedintheproject.Studentsandfaculty,together,logged145hoursofpro bonoservice.AuburnHillsstudentsalsoworkwithCooleyfacultymemberstoprovidelegalassistancetononprofitorganizations.

O pen Door MinistryInitiatedbystudentsinProfessorNancyWonch’sProfessionalResponsibilitycourseasastudentproject,studentssupervisedbylawyersnowvisittheOpenDoorMinistryshelterinLansingoncepermonth,forseveralhours,toprovidegenerallegaladvice,referrals,letterwritingassistance,andtoprepareformsfortheindigentintheLansingarea.Eachsessionprovidespro bonoopportunitiesfortwostudents.TheOpenDoorMinistryofdowntownLansingsaysitsmissionistoprovidesustenance,counseling,assistance,andlovetothoseofGod’schildrenwhofindthemselvesindifficultcircumstancesandwithfewplacestowhichtheycanturn.Itsprimaryfocusisonemergencyorcrisissituations,buttheresponseistailoredtothecircumstances.Legaladvocacyserviceshaveincludedprovidingbasiclegaladvice,writingletters,andmakingreferralstoothercommunityandsocialservicesresources.AspartofPro Bono MonthinOctober2009andcontinuingthroughout2009,

kevin scott

nelson miller

Cynthia Ward

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CooleystudentsreturnedtotheOpenDoorMinistrytoprovideadditionalpro bonolegaladvocacyservicesunderthesupervisionofAssistantDeanCynthiaWard.Inadditiontobenefitingtheindividualsserved,lawstudentsalsobenefitedgreatlyfromthisvolunteeropportunityastheywereabletoapplytheknowledge,skills,andethicstheylearnedintheclassroomtoreallifesituationsandservethosewhoaretraditionallyunderserved.Injustfourmonthsduring2009,14hoursofopportunityforstudentpro bonoworkwerescheduled,15studentswereinvolved,59.25hoursofpro bono workwereperformedbystudents,and23hoursofpro bonoworkwereperformedbyAssistantDeanWardandProfessorWonch,foratotalof82.25pro bonohoursworkedandatotalof25individualsserved.

Project Homeless Connectand Stand Down

Theseeventsoccurannuallytoassistthehomelessandveterans.AttheLansingcampus,ProfessorNancyWonchrecruitsstudentstoassistparticipantswithlegalissuesunderhersupervision.Theseeventscreateapproximately20studentopportunitieseachyear.In2009,eighthourswereloggedbyfacultyand16hoursbystudentsforatotalof24pro bonohours.Cooley’sGrandRapidsfacultyandGrandRapidsareaattorneys,accompaniedbyCooleystudents,offeredpro bonolegalservicesatProjectHomelessConnect,asupportiveservicefairheldatVanAndelArena,andatStandDown,asimilareventopentoWestMichiganveterans.Cooleyfacultyandstudentslogged45hoursofpro bonoassistanceatthesetwoeventsin2009.

Senior Pro Bono OutreachThisprogramkickedoffduringnationalPro BonoMonthinOctober2009toinvolveAuburnHillsstudentsinthepro bonoworkoffacultyandvolunteerattorneyswhileprovidingavaluable

Shane, a second year Cooley law student, first pitched the idea of providing pro bono legal services through the Open Door Ministry to Professor Wonch’s Professional Responsibility class a couple of terms ago. During an informal planning meeting with other students and Dean Ward, Shane reflected, “I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to work with the Open Door Ministry. I have met many great people there and have learned of many of the wonderful things that the Ministry does to help others. It has been a great learning experience for me and also satisfying in that I have the ability to help others in legal matters. Because it is both a great opportunity for law students to practice what has been learned and beneficial to those that we have helped, I hope that this work will continue beyond my time at the school.”

In addition to serving pro bono hours at the shelter, Shane also volunteered to personally distribute flyers about the pro bono legal clinic to other Lansing area shelters. Dean Ward has come to rely on Shane’s involvement in the Open Door Ministry and knows that he will continue to do a good job for the Open Door Ministry and the community it serves.

Opportunity Knocks

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servicetoseniorcitizensfacingmanychallengesinthePontiacarea.Twoeventswereheldin2009attheRuthPetersonSeniorCenterinPontiacwithsixfacultyandstaffmembersandonevolunteerattorney(aCooleygraduate)assistingsevenseniorswiththeirlegalissuesbyconductingclientintakeandreferringtheinformationtoFamilyLawAssistanceProgramcoordinatorProfessorAshleyLoweandEstatePlanningCliniccoordinatorProfessorDustinFoster.Facultyoffered16hoursofpro bonoassistancein2009.

Service to SoldiersLegal Assistance Referral Program

Since2007,Cooley’sServicetoSoldiersprogramhasofferedfreelegalassistancetoeligibleMichiganmilitarypersonnelwhoaredeployingto,areservingin,orhaverecentlyreturnedfromdeploymentandareexperiencingcivilianlegalconcerns.Thisprogramisofferedstatewidetoservice-membersofE5rankorbelow,andworkscooperativelywithotherveteranandmili-taryassistanceprogramsthroughoutMichi-gan.TheprogramhasallowedCooleystu-dents,alumni,staff,andMichiganattorneystheopportunitytogivebacktothosewhohavesacrificedsomuchforourcountry.InitiatedbyCooley’sCenterforEthics,Service,andProfessionalism’sDirector

HeatherSpielmaker,withassistancefromtheNationalGuardandJAG,Michigansoldiersonactivedutyandreturningfromwarreceivehelpwithavarietyoflegalissuesrangingfromgovern-mentdisabilitydeterminations,toprobateandestateplanning,toreemployment.Thesesoldiersreceivefreelegalservicethroughthisreferralprogram,whichmatchessoldierswithCooleyLawSchoolalumniandotherattorneyswhooffertheirspecializedlegalassistancetoU.S.militarypersonnel.TheprogramwasintroducedinApril2007and,sincethen,hundredsofdeploying,deployed,andreturningmilitarypersonnelhavereceivedfreelegalassistancethroughthegenerosityofourparticipatingfaculty,alumni,andmembersofthelegalcommunity.Assistancehasbeenofferedinpreparingwillsandpowersofattorney(POAs),andwithhandlingfamilylawissues,landlorddisputes,insuranceproblems,andcredi-tor/debtorconcernstoover3,000returningservicemembers,andover600havereceivedfreelegalassistance.Another200militarypersonnelhavebeenre-directedtootherprogramsandresourcesthatbettersuittheirneeds.

Inrecognitionofherwork,theLegionofMeritwasbestoweduponHeatherSpielmakerbytwo-starMajorGeneralThomasG.Cutler,AdjutantGeneral,forestablishingCooley’sServicetoSoldiersProgram.Inhisremarks,theGeneralstatedthatHeather“evidencedoutstandingleadershipandservicetothecommunitybycreatingtheServicetoSoldiersprogram.Heractionsreflectgreatcredituponherself,

Heather Spielmaker is awarded the Legion of Merit from Major General Thomas G. Cutler

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ThomasM.CooleyLawSchool,andtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.”AccordingtotheNationalGuard,theLegionofMeritisawardedonlyonceinawhileinMichiganandisthefourthhighestStateMilitaryAwardacivilianorservicemembercanreceiveaftertheMedalforValor,theDistinguishedServiceMedal,andtheNationalGuardLifeSavingMedal.

Wellover140Michiganattorneys,manyofthemCooleyalumni,standreadytooffertheirpro bonoserviceswhencalledupon,astheyhavedonesincetheysignedup,tohelpournation’sbravedefenders.TheyhavehelpedservicemembersoftheU.S.MarineReserves:1/24Alpha(GrandRapids),Bravo(Saginaw),andCharlie(Lansing)companies;theMichiganArmyNationalGuard1461stTransportationCompany(Lansing);theU.S.ArmyReserve415thCivilAffairsBattalion(Kalamazoo);theSelfridgeAirNationalGuardBase;andNationalGuardunits,including177MilitaryPoliceETT;CompanyC125Infantry&63rdBrigade;HHC&CompanyA1-125Infantry;CompanyB125Infantry&CompanyF-237;63rdBrigade125/126;126PressCamp;1-119thFieldArtilleryBattalionheadquarteredinLansingwithunitsinPortHuron,Alma,Albion,andAugusta;1073rdMaintenanceCompany-Greenville;46thMilitaryPoliceCommand-Lansing;3/330thRegimentand95thDivision(IT)-Waterford.Theprogramcontinuestogrowandofferservicesasrequested.

AnimportantmilestoneinthereputationandbreadthoftheprogramcamewhentheServicetoSoldiersprogramteamedwiththeMichiganStateBarFoundationandtheMichiganlawfirmHonigmanMillerSchwartzandCohntowriteandpublishThe Judge’s Guide to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)inApril2009.Writtenbyvolunteer

A soldier suffering from PTSD had a mental break down and allegedly threatened to murder his parents after taking them hostage. The soldier’s parents, who were concerned about his well-being despite their harrowing experience, contacted Cooley’s Service to Soldiers program to see if that program could get him additional representation beyond his court-appointed attorney. They wanted their son to get the help he needed rather than go to prison. The program’s administrator, Heather Spielmaker, contacted a Cooley graduate, nationally-recognized defense attorney Frank Reynolds. Frank agreed to assist the court-appointed attorney on the case, pro bono, and thus ensured that the soldier would get top-notch representation and the best chance for an outcome that would benefit him and society. War produces some very unsavory situations and our attorneys are willing to experience them with clients who can’t pay, because they feel a debt to these brave men and women who have risked their lives and their mental stability to keep us safe.

Lawyers Help

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attorneysatHonigmanandresearchedbyaCooleyalumnus,thisbenchbookwassenttoeveryjudgeinthestateusinggrantfundssecuredfromtheMichiganStateBarFoundation.ThispublicationreceivedagreatdealofpositivemediaattentionandresultedinaninvitationforCooleyfacultytospeakattheannualdistrictcourtjudges’conferencelaterthatyear.

Assistingwiththisprograminvariouswaysare72studentswhohaveofferedlegalbriefingstosmallgroupsofdeployingservicemenandwomen,conductedclientin-takeinterviews,researchedrelevantcaselaw,givenpresentationstogroupsofreturningveteransandVietnam-eraveterans,draftedwillsandpowersofattorneyunderthesupervisionoflicensedattorneys,staffedinformationbooths,researchedlegalissuesforinclusioninthe Judge’s Guide to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act,andhandledmanyoftheadministrativetasksnecessarytomaintaintheprogram.

Infact,studentvolunteerscontributesogenerouslytotheadministrationoftheprogramthattheprogram’songoingsuccesshascometodependgreatlyontheirlabor.

TheServicetoSoldiersProgramstretchedtonewheights,orratherdistances,inJuly2009whenitorganized,throughtheleadershipanddirectsupportandinvolvementofAssociateDeanJohnNussbaumer,theswearing-inofCooleyAuburn

HillsgraduateMilesGenglerviasatellitewhilehewasdeployedinIraq.MichiganSupremeCourtChiefJusticeMarilynKellyadministeredthelawyers’oathasMajorGengler’swife,children,parents,friends,andCooleyfamilylookedon.TheceremonywastelevisedandreportedonacrossthecountryduringtheIndependenceDayholiday,andwasevencoveredinternationally.

TheServicetoSoldiersLegalAssistanceReferralProgramhasreceivedgrantsfromtheMichiganStateBarFoundationandtheInghamCountyBarFoundation,andhasalsoreceivedmonetarydonationsthroughfundraisingeffortsoftheCooleyInnofCourt.FacultymembersincludingNancyWonch,CharliePalmer,EileenKavanagh,ChrisTrudeau,TerryCavanaugh,EmilyHorvath,JamesCarey,KarenTruszkowski,andAssociateDeansNelsonMiller,AmyTimmer,andJohnNussbaumerhavevolunteeredtoassistatreintegrationwork-shopsbyinterviewingmilitarypersonneltodeterminelegalneeds,writingwillsandPOAs,andpresentingonlegalissues,andbyrecruitingadditionallawyerstoworkpro bono.Inaddition,thecenter’sadministrativeassistantKathyLawrenceregularlyvolunteershertimetoattendtheseworkshopsandnotarizeeverylegaldocumentcreated.In2009,studentsandfacultyprovidedsoldierswith254hoursofpro bonoassistance.

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly and Cooley graduate Major Miles Gengler

Charlie palmer

Eileen kavanagh

Emily hor vath

arproducessomeveryunsavorysituationsandourattorneysarewillingtoexperience

themwithclientswhocan’tpay,becausetheyfeeladebttothesebravemenandwomenwhohaveriskedtheirlivesandtheirmentalstabilitytokeepussafe.”

hEathER spiElmakER, diRECtoR CEntER FoR EthiCs, sERviCE, and

pRoFEssionalism

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State Appellate Defender Office/ Detroit Crime Lab

A2009investigationandauditoftheDetroitCrimeLabuncoveredsystemicproblemsinthewayballisticstestswereconducted,anditbecamenecessarytodeterminehowmanyconvictionsmayhavebeenimpactedbytaintedforensicexaminations.TheStateAppellateDefenderOffice(SADO)representsindigentdefendantsonappealandhadhandledmanyofthefilesthatrequiredreview.Giventhepotentialnumberofaffectedcases,aninformalagreementwasreachedbetweenCooleyLawSchoolandSADOwherebyCooleystudentshelpSADOreviewallcasefilestodeterminewhethertaintedevidencemayhavebeenusedtosecureaconviction.Thisfilereviewincludesreadingtrialtranscripts,policereports,witnessstatements,expertwitnessreports,andotherrelevantdocuments.CooleyProfessorAlanGershelprovidedCooleystudentswithanoverviewoftheapplicablelawandSADOattorneysprovidedadditionaltraining.TheworkisdoneinSADO’sDetroitofficeandissupervisedbyProfessorGershelanda

SADOattorney.Cooleystudentsreviewedguiltypleacasesandletterswrittenbydefendants,andreviewedthecasesthatwere“flagged”initiallyasaformofqualitycontrol.Whenthatwascompleted,theythenwereinvolvedindraftingbriefsinthemeritoriouscasesand,finally,willreviewpaperfiles.In2009,11studentsperformed281hoursofpro bonowork.

T ax Assistance for NonprofitsProfessorGinaToriellitakesoneortwocasesayearassistingnonprofitorganizationswiththeirorganizationalandtaxissues.In2009,ProfessorTorielliandastudentfromherLL.M.taxexemptorganizationclassworkedonmattersforagroupinOaklandCountysupportingpassageofaparksmillagerenewal,andalsoconsultedontaxissueswithalocallandconservancyorganizationinterestedinacorporatereorganization.Sheestimatesthatsheandherstudentsclockedeighthoursofpro bonoworkin2009.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Thisprogramoffersstudentstaxfilingexperiencewhilehelpinglow-incomefamiliesfileformuch-neededrefunds.StudentsworkwithCooleyProfessorDanMatthewstoprovideincometaxassistancetocitizens.In2009,studentsandfacultyloggedapproximately130pro bonohoursofassistance.Launchingin2010underthedirectionofProfessorDanSheafferinLansing,andinconjunctionwithUnitedWayinGrandRapids,VITAprogramsinLansingandGrandRapidswillalsogetoffthegroundandallowvariousstudentorganizationstohelpsuperviseandsupporttheprogram.

Volunteers of AmericaHomeless Shelter

AnalarmingprevalenceofmentalandotherdisabilitiesexistsamongthehomelessinMichigan.Inanefforttogettheseresidentstheassistancetheydesperatelyneedwhileofferinghands-onexperienceforitsstudents,CooleyhasofferedtoteamupwiththeVolunteersofAmerica(VOA)HomelessShelterinLansingtohelpthehomelessapplyforSupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI)andSocialSecurityDisabilityIncome(SSDI)benefits.Clientsneedhelpcompletingtheinitialpaperworkandcheckingbackwithgovernmentagenciestobesureprogresscontinuesontheir

Gina torielli

daniel matthews

daniel sheaf fer

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claimsandappeals.In2009,wepresentedtoaveteransgroupatVOAtomakethemawareofourServicetoSoldiersprogramanddirectedafewcasestopro bonoattorneys,andunderthesupervisionofProfessorMarkDotson,astudentgaveapresentationontheMichiganDriverResponsibilityAct.Thestudentspentabout12hourspreparing,andProfessorDotsonspentaboutthreehourssupervisingthestudentinthatroleforatotalof15hoursofpro bonoservice.

Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office Cases

ProfessorLewLanghamvolunteerstohandlefelonycasesforthePublicDefendersOfficeandislistedontheirwebsiteasavolunteerattorney.In2009,ProfessorLanghamhandled,solo,twojurytrials—bothcapitalcasesforarmedrobberyandrelatedcharges—fromstarttofinish.Healsohandledfelonypreliminaryexamfiles,filedmotions,andconductedinterviewsandjailvisits,includingatriptotheprisoninJacksontointerviewawitness,pleanegotiationswiththeprosecutor,andcaserounddiscussionswiththetrialattorneysatthePublicDefender’sOffice.Healsopreparedforseveraladditionalfelonytrialsthatsettledontrialdayorbefore.ProfessorLanghamlogged440solo

mark dotson

lew langham

pro bonohoursin2009.CooleystudentswhohelpedProfessorLanghamwithjuryselectionandinputonaspectsofthetriallogged32pro bonohours.

In2009,facultyandstudentslogged472hoursofpro bonoworkhandlingfelonycasesfortheWashtenawCountyPublicDefender’soffice.

ConclusionCooleyLawSchoolisgratefultoandproudofitsstudentsandfacultyfortheircommitmenttohelpingothersthroughfreelegalwork.Webelievethatpro bonoservicehelpsstudentsdeveloptheirprofessionalidentitiesandweoffersuchopportunitiesasanessentialpartofourProfessionalismPlan(cooley.edu/ethics).Wehopethatengagingourstudentsinpro bonoworkwillhelpthembecomeethicalattorneys,committedtoservingtheunder-servedandtomakingsuchservicearegularpartoftheirlivesaslawyers.And,weferventlyhopethattheirdefinitionof“success”willincludehelpingothersbreathealittleeasier.

james Carey

amy timmer

terr y Cavanaugh

karentruszkowski

300 S. Capitol ave. | p.o. Box 13038 | lanSing, Mi 48901 (517) 371-5140, ext. 2837 | Cooley.edu